Electric switch.



C. J. KLEIN.

ELECYRIC SWITCH.

APPLICATION FILED 1uNE19. 191x.

1,154,3. Patented Sept. 21, 1915.

and may assume narran srafrns ramena carica,

CHARLES J'. KLEIN, 0F MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN, ASSIGNOR T0 THE CUTLER-HAMMER MFG. CO.,A OF MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN,

A CORPORATION F WISCONSIN.

ELECTRIC SWITCH.

To all whom it may concern.'

Be it known that I, CHARLES J. KLEIN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Milwaukee, in the county of Milwaukee and State of Wisconsin, have invented new and useful Improvements in Electric Switches, of which the following is a full, clear, concise, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanylng drawing, forming a part of this specification.

My invention relates to electric switches.

It more especially relates to electric switches of the type known as three point pendant switches wherein the switch mechanism is arranged to control a plurality of circuits. i

Among the objects of my invention is to rovide an improved electric switch.

A further obj ect of my invention is to provide an improved switch arranged to control a plurality of circuits which is of a very compact, simple and inexpensive construction and which is exceedingly efficient in service.

In the accompanying drawings I have illustrated one form which j my invention may assume in practice. My invention is, however, not limited to this specific form various other forms. of the drawings: Figure 1 In the views view through the shows a central sectional assembled switch. Fig. 2 shows a side elevation of one of the casing members. Fig. 3 shows a sectional view' on line 3-3 of Fig. 2.

In these drawings I have illustrated a two part casing inclosing a push button snap switch mechanism and provided on its opposite sides with terminal contacts arranged to control a plurality ofl circuits, certain of said terminal contacts on opposite sides of said switch mechanisms being electrically connected so that the same may be used in a three wire circuit. y

The switch mechanism employed is preferably of the type described in my previously granted Patent No. 985,241, patented February 28, 1911. This switch mechanism includes a reciprocable cam member 1 of the conformation of a double frustum, positioned base to base, having flanges 2 on its reduced ends and carrying push buttons 3. A movable contactor 4, preferably of the type described in my co-pending application, Serial No. 628,782, filed May 22, 1911,

" is' arranged to reciprocate on this cam mem- Speciication of Letters Patent.

vthe cam member 1.

Patented Sept. 21, 1915.

Application led `Tune 19, 1911.. Serial No. 634.147.

ber and to house a garter spring 5 which acts to throw the Contactor to one of the vlimits of its travel with a quick snap action when said cam member is actuated and when the spring has passed over the crest of the cam. This switch mechanism Iis mounted and inclosed in a two part casing-6 and 7 preferably formed of insulating material and preferably 'of a substantially rectangua suflicient diameter to permit the reciprocation of the flanged cam member through the same. In order to receive the contactor and permit the same to reciprocate along the cam the two casing members are recessed to form a central chamber 10. This chamber 10 preferably communicates with the perforations 9 by means of a recess 11 of great-er diameter than the perforations 9 through which the cam member reciprocates. In a preferred form, terminal contacts 12 are carried on the base member 6 while terminal contacts 18 are carried on the base member 7. These contacts are preferably seated in suitable recesses 16 and 17 near the top of the casing .members and spaced apart by septums 18 and 19. In a preferred form the terminal contacts are' secured in these rec-esses'by screws 20 and 21 extending through to the outside of the casing members and having their heads suitably sealed in recesses in the same. The shanks of these contact members are preferably narrower than the heads of the same and extend vertically downward through the chamber 10 and on opposite sides of the same, the Shanks of each pair being arranged on opposite sides of the chamber and In a preferred form the side Valls of the chamber 10 are recessed at 22 beneath and at the side of these Shanks so that the edges of the contactor 4 may pass freely along the sides of the terminal contacts. Also in a preferred form the bottom of the chamber l0 is provided with transversely extending recesses 23 on its opposite sides so that the shanks may be readily placed in position in the casing and may be held in the same. If desired, the bottom of the chamber 10 may be recessed between these recesses 23. In order to secure the -septums 18 and 19 and be 'by a tap 25.v the tap may be housed in suitable recesses parts of the casing together a screw 24 may be passed through suitable recesses in the held in position The head of the screw and in the outer surfaces of the ca sing members and these recesses may be sealed 1f desired.

In order to effectually insulate the parts tral perforation arranged to receive an insulating conductor bushing or basketv 28 and provided with an insulating lining 29 crimped to the cover 27 and held in position v in the same by indenting the cover as shown at 30. This cover is preferably secured to the top of the casing by screws 31 which are provided with threaded bushings 32 carried in 0r 'near the lower edge of the cap and are adapted to be moved into engagement with the walls of recesses 33 to hold the parts together. It is, of course, obvious that the conductors for the switch mechanism are brought in through the gasket 28 to the tops of the terminal members. In a preferred construction in order -to permit. the conductor to be more readily attached, I preferably slightly cut away the upper, inner edges of the casing members as illustrated in Fig. l. In order that the switch may be connected to a three wire circuit I preferably connect one of the binding posts on each side of the switch mechanism by a conducting strip 34 which extends across the casing opposite and below the opening in the cap, so that a conductor may be readily attached to the terminal of the same. If desired one end of this conducting strip 34 may be riveted to one of the terminals on one of the parts of the base, ywhile the' other end may be attached to the binding screw on the opposite terminal. If desired this conducting strip may be slightly bowed as shown in Fig. 3 so that it will not interfere with the connection of the conductors to the terminals.

When it is desired to operate the switch all that is necessary to do is to push in one of the push buttons. As the push button is pushed in the garter spring travels up the slopeof the cam and when it reaches the crest of the same throws the contacter to one of its extreme positions with a quick snap action.- Since terminal contacts are provided at both of the limits of travel of the contacter, a circuit may be made at either limit of its travel. If desired, these circuits may be entirely independent or if desired,

Iopen end recess,

they `may be connected as in a three wire system with one of the conductors used as a common return. It is of course obvious that when the switch is connected in a three wire circuit one of the conductors is connected to the binding screw at the end of the conducting strip, while the other two conductors are connected to the binding screws on the 'opposite side of the base.

By my improved construction I have provided an exceedingly compact, simple and inexpensive three point switch which is of a rugged construction. employing a small number of parts which are well calculated to withstand long wear and service. Further, these parts are fully protected within the casing and the completed switch when assembled presents a very neat appearance.

While I have in this application described one specific form which my invention may assume in practice, I have chosen this form as ameans of illustrating the principle of my invention and I accordingly do not wish to be limited to this specific form, but wish rather to include allof the forms which fall within the scope of myimprovement.

vWhat I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is as follows 1. In` a multi-circuit electric switch, an insulating base having a substantially closed chamber therein, a snap switch mechanism carried in said base including a contactor movable across said chamber, and a plurality of terminal contacts mounted on said base at yopposite sides of said chamber.

2. In a multi-circuit electric switch, an insulating base having a substantially closed rectangular chamber therein, a snap switch mechanism mounted within said chamber including a contactor reciprocable across the same, and a plurality of sets of parallel terminal contacts carried by said base at opposite ends of said chamber.

3. In an electric switch, an insulating base having a substantially closed chamber therein, a snap switch mechanism including a contactor within and movable across said chamber, a plurality of sets of contacts carried by said base on.V opposite sides of said chamber and extending without the same, and means without said chamber connecting certain of saidopposite contacts.

4. In a pendent electric switch, a two-part insulating basephaving complementary recesses on its adjacent faces forming a substantially closed central chamber and an a push -button operated switch mounted within said chamber and having its operating member extending through opposite ends thereof, a pair of terminal contacts carried by each of said base parts to be engaged by said switch mechanism in its opposite extreme positions, andmeans in said end recess connecting certain of said opposite contacts together.

'5. In an electric switch, a divided insulating base having substantially fiat adjacent faces, a snap switch mechanism inclosed be-v G. In an electric switch, a two-part insu.

lating base, a snap .switch mechanism inclosed therein, the adjacent faces of the parts -of said base having complementary grooves about said switch mechanism, and an insu'- lating strip 'interfitted Within said grooves.

7. In an electric switch, a two-part insulating base, the adjacent faces of the parts of said base having complementary recesses and complementary grooves about said recesses, a snap switch mechanism inclosed in said recesses, and an insulating strip clamped in said grooves.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my nanie in the presence of two Witnesses.

CHARLES J. KLEIN. IVitnesses:

T. L. ROCKWELL, FRANK H. I-IUBBARD. 

